Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me
This summer, we lost three of the most beloved comic forces in American entertainment. The most popular of the trio were Robin Williams and Joan Rivers, both revered stand-up comedians and cultural icons. The third was Elaine Stritch, the brassiest of the old broads. Stritch’s career on Broadway was so established that she was declared a New York Living Landmark in 2003.
Younger crowds know her best for her Emmy-winning performance as Jack Donaghy’s crass mom on 30 Rock. Stage enthusiasts know her better for her legendary performances in Sail Away, Mame and Stephen Sondheim’s Company. Those who do not know her at all should stop what they are doing and check out Chiemi Karasawa’s documentary about the late great entertainer right away.
Although Shoot Me is filled with talking head endorsements from the likes of Tina Fey, Nathan Lane and more, the documentary works best when it focuses on Stritch’s continuing work ethic as she approached 90. She is determined to win over crowds even in old age, performing a collection of songs in a cabaret act. Sure, she cannot hit the high notes, but Stritch still had the verve, gusto and presence of a woman a third her age.
Stritch’s fights with her musical director as she tries to fend off her deteriorating health and collapsing memory are painful to watch, although there are sparks of inspiration when she manages to get the songs down pat. In a year filled with terrific documentaries dedicated to beloved cultural figures, including the Roger Ebert memorial Life Itself, Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me is probably the finest and is as enduring as the legend herself.
